Maldives Part I - Water Villa Itinerary & Budget

Itinerary

Centara Ras Fushi Water Villa

Day 1
In this Part I of our Maldives trip (Read PART II here), I would like to share about our first two nights in Hulhumale' and Centara Ras Fushi. If you are flying with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, you will arrive in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hulhule at 8.10 pm. Since our water villa transfer is from the airport on the next day, we decided to stay in Koamas Lodge in Hulhumale'. I don't really recommend this lodging because you can find cheaper rooms on Hulhumale'. 

Koamas Lodge, Hulhumale'

Day 2
We woke up early to explore Hulhumale' as everything is within walking distance. A few steps from our front door is a beautiful beach that already took our breath away. There are water sports/activities like (see-through!) kayaking/jet ski on the beach. Be aware that no bikinis are allowed in public in this 100% Muslim country. Other than that, alcohol and pork are also not sold anywhere in public. You need visit the private islands for these prohibited items. 

Hulhumale' Beach kayaks

Anyway, I digressed. In the morning, after visiting the beach, we stumbled upon a bus station that can take you to the airport at a much cheaper rate. There were also a bank, convenience stores and restaurants nearby. 15 minutes walk away is the Hulhumale' Jetty where you can board the public ferry to Male. We went back to the airport by taxi after picking up our luggage & met up with the Centara representative at counter number 12 in front of the Arrivals gate. There is a Bank of Maldives money changer next to the gate to change your US$ into Maldivian Ruffiyas (MVR) for use on public ferries between the local islands. We converted US$50 to MVR and the exchange required for us to show our passports. 

Bus station to airport

Hulhumale' Jetty

Hulhumale' Jetty

Maldivian Ruffiya

Based on our quite extensive "research" on Maldives water villas, Centara Ras Fushi offers the most affordable water villa rates compared to the others. They provide free return speedboat transfers from the airport (only until Dec 2016). Other water villas require additional fees for speedboat/sea plane transfers & the villa rates start at more than US$1000 per night. I initially wanted stay in a water villa with seaplane transfers (where else can I get the experience?) but the prices are ridiculous. Take note that you have to book your water villa in Centara as early as possible because they offer early bird rates. Prices go up more than 50% if your booking is made at the last minute. Alternatively, if you wish to try taking a seaplane without staying in a private island, you may book from Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) Reservations at +960 3348 454. At US$100 per person, you may get on any TMA seaplane which is transferring private island hotels' guests to their hotels. 

Our speedboat to the private island was waiting for us at almost 12.30 pm. Centara Ras Fushi is quite near to the airport & we were really excited to arrive. Friendly and smiley staff were waiting for our arrival at the Centara jetty. Check-in time is 2.00pm and hence we were brought to the lobby for welcoming drinks & wet towels. A Guest Relations Officer (GRO) is appointed to each guest. Sunil explained to us about our Half Board package - inclusive of buffet dinner & breakfast OR US$40 credit for set meals in the Arab/Thai Restaurants, free non-motorized water sports (kayak/stand up paddle boarding/paddle boat) & use of the gym/entertainment center/pool/dive centre. We had delicious green curry for lunch in the Thai Restaurant while waiting for our room to be ready. Take note that Centara Ras Fushi is an adults only resort, kids below 12 are not allowed to be on the island. There is another family resort, Centara Grand, for families with young children. 

Centara Ras Fushi Jetty

Centara Ras Fushi Jetty

Pool side view from Thai Restaurant

At 2.00 pm, we were taken to Water Villa #347 by a cute buggy. Rooms 301-380 are called sunset water villas, but only even-numbered villas face the sunset. By the time we reached the villa, I was deliriously excited & I felt like I was on cloud nine. There are life jackets provided in the room for non-pro-swimmers (like me!). The best feature of the room is definitely the stairs heading right into the crystal-clear water underneath.  We decided to immediately jump into the sea, but we were quite alarmed by the strong currents. 

Buggy ride to water villa

Sunset Water Villas

Inside the villa

Sundeck

Stairway to Atlantis

"Suntanning" lol

The current gets stronger as the sun sets, so we left our villa & went for a quick kayaking session. Another spot to catch the amazing sunset is in Viu Bar. There is a hole in the middle of the bar for fish feeding. Snorkeling equipment (mask & fins) can be borrowed at the Dive Centre, near the hotel lobby. However, you have to go through 5 meter swimming test to see if you can use the equipment properly before the staff will hand them over to you. We also went for a dip in the swimming pool as the sun slowly sets on a lovely evening. A surprise was waiting for us in our villa - sparking grape juice & chocolate cake, compliments of the hotel, for us to toast our first year anniversary together! <3 We ate the delicious cake on the deck while listening to the waves. Later, after the buffet dinner, we saw that there was an outdoor movie screening right on the beach, under a million stars. Definitely heaven on earth.

Sunset view at Viu Bar

Fish feeding in Viu Bar

Complimentary sparkling juice & cake

Buffet dinner in Oceans Restaurant

Sunset water villas

Day 3
The next morning, jet lag hit me hard as I awoke at 4.30 am (7.30 am in Malaysia, 3 hours ahead). I couldn't fall back to sleep, so I peacefully waited for the sunrise on the deck. At 6.00 am, we jumped back into the sea for a few minutes of snorkeling. We didn't swim far from our villa due to the strong current, but there were so many colorful fish to see. Not much corals though. After buffet breakfast, we went kayaking again, while we wait for our turn to use the stand up paddle board. I definitely recommend kayaking in the morning when the sun hits the water perfectly for amazing photos! Don't forget your GoPro ;)

Sunrise

Snorkeling at 6.30 am

Snorkeling

Kayaking

Stand up paddle boarding

Check out time is 12.00 pm but we requested for the 1.00 pm speedboat ride back to the airport, to give us time to visit the souvenir shop/entertainment center/gym. We left the resort with heavy hearts, wishing we had another night to spare. In my humble opinion, the resort stay was worth every cent, thanks to the amazing hospitality & services offered.

We had more amazing experiences on local islands - Maafushi & Gulhi. Read the next post HERE on dolphin watching, picnic on sandbank & spectacular snorkeling sessions! :)

SHARE THIS POST on your FB, Twitter, Pinterest & other social media sites by clicking on the buttons on the left ;)





Full Trip Budget:
Approximately MYR3000 per person. All rates below are for 2 persons.

US$1 = MYR4.07~4.085 in March '16
US$1 = MVR15

Accommodation:
Koamas Lodge, Hulhumale' (1 night) -  $55.44 + 12% Tax ($6.65) + 11.2% Service Charge ($6.95) = $69.04
Centara Ras Fushi Half Board Water Villa & free speedboat transfer (1 night) - $547.01  + Green Tax ($12) = $559.01
Arena Lodge Sky, Maafushi (3 nights) - $99.90 + 12% tax ($11.99) + 10% Service Charge ($9.99) = $121.88

Day 1
Return flight Air Asia KUL-Male - MYR1062.16
Return taxi from Male Airport to Koamas Lodge - $19

Day 2
Fried Rice & Green Curry Rice Lunch at Thai Restaurant in Centara - $47

Day 3
Ferry from Male Airport to Male City Jetty - MVR20
Taxi from Male City Jetty to Villinghili Ferry Terminal - MVR30
Grilled Chicken Pasta Lunch - MVR122
Public ferry from Villinghili Ferry Terminal to Maafushi - MVR44
Khotu Roshi & Tuna Fried Rice Dinner at Picnic Inn Restaurant - MVR185

Day 4
Half Day Excursion (Banana Reef, Turtle Point, dolphin watching & lunch on sandbank), sunset fishing & BBQ dinner = $100
Chicken Wrap Lunch in Hot Bites - MVR76
Gelato at Crystal Sand Hotel - MVR60
Souvenirs (magnet & bookmark) - MVR90

Day 5
Half Day Excursion (Biyadhoo Reef, Shark Point, Maavilathu) & lunch (tuna sandwich & soft drinks) on Gulhi - $55 (after $5 discount)
Kothu Roshi, Grilled Fish Rice & Movenpick gelato in Rehendhi Restaurant - $14
Chicken Wrap & Double Cheeseburger Dinner in Hot Bites - $13.60

Day 6
Pineapple Fried Rice, Grilled Chicken & drinks - $28.33
Souvenirs (T-shirts & magnets) - $36
Speedboat transfer from Maafushi to Male Airport Jetty - $40
Pad Thai Dinner in Thai Express Male Airport - $12

*Note: $ = US Dollars, MYR = Malaysian Ringgit, MVR = Maldivian Ruffiya

>>Read PART II here

>>Read about our Lombok trip here

>>Read about our Japan trip here